Iran’s chief negotiator and parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has declared that the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz will never revert to its pre-war status. Ghalibaf asserted that Tehran and Oman have reached an understanding for joint oversight of the waterway, a key component of Iran’s seven-point proposal to resolve the eight-month conflict with the United States.
Speaking in an interview, Ghalibaf dismissed the notion of unrestricted international access to the strait, arguing that its regulations fall under the jurisdiction of the bordering littoral states. “There are no ‘free waters’ [international waters] there, and the 1982 [UN Convention on the Law of the Sea] does not apply to the strait. The regulations within the Strait of Hormuz are governed by the laws of the two littoral states that border it,” he stated.
Iran's Conditions for Peace
The understanding with Oman is part of a broader peace initiative. Ghalibaf confirmed that Iran conveyed its response to Washington via Qatar, the mediating nation, and is now awaiting an official reply, stating, “The ball is now in the American court.”
Iran’s conditions for peace include:
- Lifting the US naval blockade and sanctions.
- Releasing frozen Iranian funds.
- Ending hostilities on all fronts.
- Explicitly announcing an end to the war.
These demands, according to Ghalibaf, are outlined in a memorandum of understanding signed in June and must be implemented before any negotiations can commence.
Trust and Future Deterrence
Ghalibaf indicated that an agreement remains achievable if Washington adheres to existing understandings and refrains from introducing additional demands. However, he identified a significant lack of trust in the US as the primary impediment to a breakthrough. He also claimed that US officials had requested Russian President Vladimir Putin to facilitate direct negotiations with Tehran during a visit to Moscow.
Warning against potential renewed US attacks, Ghalibaf suggested that former President Donald Trump would face further defeat and political pressure from the incoming Congress. Iran, he emphasized, seeks to move beyond a prolonged state of “no war and no peace” and aims to establish sustainable deterrence, including bolstering its military capabilities.